Raise your hand if you are certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR, for humans? (How many of you just raised your hands?) Well, did you know that you can also use CPR to save your dog’s life if he or she stops breathing too?

The signs that indicate the need for CPR include unconsciousness, lack of arousal, lack of physical movement, or eye blinking. These symptoms can occur from drowning, choking, electrical shock, or a number of other situations.

Below is a video on administering CPR on dogs, that was also included in the article. Note: The instructional video below recommends a compression to ventilation ratio of 15 compressions followed by one breath. A June 2012 Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care article recommends a compression to ventilation ratio of 30 compressions followed by two breaths.

300 BLOCK WEST REDWOOD STREET: Police and animal control officers were called to a home in the area after two dogs broke into a yard and killed a Pomeranian. The dogs were later released to their owner. It is unclear whether the dogs’ owner will be charged with a crime, Wasson said.

To better inform the residents of Campbell County, we reached out to the City of Gillette Animal Control office with a few questions. We heard back from Animal Control Officer Adam Ostrom. Below are our questions to Adam as well as his answers. We have also provided links back to as many ordinances as possible.

Fur Kids: What animal laws and ordinances in Gillette/Campbell County and the state that pet owners should be aware of and where can someone find them?Animal Control: For the City of Gillette, check out Chapter Four of the City Code concerns animals in the city. There are only two areas of the city where animals are required to be leashed: McNanaman Park and the Cemetery.

I do not know if the County requires leashes in populated areas (like at CAM-PLEX Park, which is a County property). Please note: Fur Kids Foundation could not find Campbell County ordinances online.

Title 23: Game and Fish: Note, some applications apply to domesticated animals & pets, for example: 23-3-109-Use of dogs; dogs injuring big or trophy game animals may be killed; citation of owners of dogs harassing game animals; penalties.

Fur Kids: What can a resident do if someone else's dog attacked their dog, or another person?

If the victim’s dog was in a place where the owner had a legal right to be (not on someone else’s property without permission), a citation can be issued against the attacking dogs’ owner(s) for contributing to an animal nuisance. If the dog (or cat) attacks a person in a place they are legally entitled to be (not on someone else’s property without permission), a citation can be issued against the dogs’ owner for a vicious animal.

If there are medical bills or loss of property (dead dog or cat) the victim can seek restitution but only through a citation and court appearance.

Fur Kids: What happens if their dog attacks another person’s animal, or bites another person?

If the animal (dog or cat) breaks the skin with their teeth on a person, this is considered a bite and an enforced quarantine occurs. City or County Animal Control Officers will impound the animal for a period of ten (10) days for observation. After the quarantine ends the victim is notified of the animal’s status.

Owner’s can receive a citation if their dog (or cat) bites or physically attacks a person or animal if the incident occurs where the victim is legally allowed to be. If someone comes onto the owner’s property without permission and is bitten by a family dog or cat, the owner is likely not to be at fault.

If there are any medical bills as a result and the owner is at fault, the owner may be court ordered to pay the restitution as well as court costs.

If you have other questions that you would like Fur Kids Foundation to ask Animal Control, please comment below or contact us.

After being cooped up in the house all winter, most of us can’t wait to get out and enjoy the warm weather—and often we want to take our pets with us. But overdoing it in hot weather can be dangerous for your pets. Here are some precautions to help prevent your pet from a variety of summer dangers.

Avoid ChemicalsEveryone wants a green and weed free lawn, but lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested. When walking with your pooch, stay away from areas that have been sprayed with chemicals—these are generally marked by lawn and garden pros. Also, keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of reach. If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, call your vet immediately.

BlacktopWhen the temperature is very high, don't linger on hot asphalt with your dog. Your pup’s body heats up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Get in ShapeYes—get out with your pet (we suggest Yappy Hours), but take into consideration the time you are doing it. When it’s extremely hot outside, keep them indoors. And, because pets get dehydrated quickly, be sure to bring enough water for you and Fido.

Know the Warning Signs of OverheatingWatch for heatstroke symptoms such as:

collapse or loss of consciousness

dark tongue

diarrhea or vomiting

excessive drooling

heavy panting

lack of coordination

trouble breathing

Other signs include seizures, bloody stool and an elevated body temperature of more than 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces such as pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible because they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, get him or her out of the heat, preferably into an air-conditioned vehicle, and then to a veterinarian immediately.

Quench Their ThirstMake sure pets have plenty of fresh, clean water as they can dehydrate quickly.

Summer GatheringsIf you’re like some of our board members, you friends may know that if they invite you to a backyard summer BBQ, they also invite your pet. But, make sure your friends know that the food they enjoy should not be a treat for your pet, as they may give your dog or cat upset stomachs, or other digestive ailments. And, it’s never funny to give an animal alcohol—they can cause intoxication, depression and comas.

Summer HairdoFeel free to trim your dog for the summer but be careful: layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat.

Travel SafetyI'm sure many of you bring your pets to join in on the family vacation fun. Just like we need to be safely secured in a car, so do our pets. They should travel in an appropriately sized crate or in a harness secured to a seat belt. And never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle, as they overheat quickly. Visit the VetMake sure your pets are tested for heartworm, parvo and other worms. You may also want to talk to your vet about a tick control program.

Water SafetyDo not leave pets unsupervised around a pool or in a boat at the lake—not all are good swimmers. If water is your second home in the summer, be sure to properly introduce your pet to the water. You may also want to consider purchasing pet specific water safety vets. Also, if your pet is swimming in a pool, try to keep them from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

It’s a beautiful summer day and you and your pup have just taken a nice stroll through the park. You’ve got to run this errand real quick, and it will likely be less than 10 minutes to take. Your four legged friend will be just fine while you park the car and run into the store. Right?

Wrong. Leaving a pet in a car for “just a minute” may be one minute too long. Every year, countless pets die after being left in cars while their owners work, visit, shop, or run errands. What’s worse is that these deaths are entirely preventable.

Just how hot does it get inside your car on a nice summer day? Watch this video from RedRover, who has created an awareness campaign dubbed MyDogIsCool.com.

A study by the Animal Protection Institute/Born Free USA showed that even moderately warm temperatures outside can quickly lead to deadly temperatures inside a closed car. While the temperature outside is an enjoyable 70 degrees, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees warmer. For example, on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in minutes. And on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Parking in the shade offers little protection, and it moves as the sun makes its way across the sky. Cracking the windows doesn’t reduce the danger, either. Pets left in hot cars can suffer nerve damage, heart problems, liver damage, brain damage and death. In as little as 15 minutes, your pet can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke. Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. Pets most at risk for hyperthermia (overheating) include young animals, elderly animals, overweight animals, those with short muzzles (such as pugs) and those with thick or dark-colored coats.

If you see a dog in a parked car on a hot day:

1. Note the make/model of the vehicle, license plate number and its specific location. Note a description of the pet(s), the condition of the pet(s), and the time.

2. Call the local animal control agency, (in Gillette, 307.686.5249), or 911.

3. Some locations, such as malls, amusement parks or casinos, will have on-site security that may be able to take action.

4. Ask clerks at nearby stores/venues to make announcements using the vehicle's make/model to locate the pet’s owner.

5. If possible, return to the vehicle to monitor the pet’s condition and help responding authorities locate the vehicle.

The video below serves as a vivid reminder to pet parents to NOT leave a dog in a hot car, even if only for a few minutes.

UPDATE: July 2, 2013A young lady snapped this picture of a pup who was trapped in a hot car in front of Walmart in Gillette on July 2 and shared it on Facebook. She called the police and waited for Animal Control to show up before she left the scene. She did the right thing. Feel free to share this message.

UPDATE: July 5, 2016

We found some great tools from MyDogIsCool.com that we wanted to share with you. Please feel free to use them yourself.

Flyers to leave on cars (you can download the file under the pictures of what the flyers look like):

Summers in northeastern Wyoming can mean tornadoes, wicked hailstorms, and even wild fires. This American Red Cross message found it's way to Fur Kids Foundation, and we felt it was strong enough to share with others as well as have a conversation about disaster preparedness for pets.

Do you know what should you do to keep your pet safe during a storm? Does your pet's ID have your current address and phone / cell phone numbers listed on it? How much food and water, or even medications, does your pet need to stay healthy in case a disaster strikes? The best way to keep yourself and your family safe when disaster strikes is to have a good disaster plan. But, do you have one?

If you do, wonderful. If you don't, or if you want to make sure your plan is up to snuff, the Humane Society of the United States has created a disaster preparedness resource page that includes information on how to prepare for emergencies for pets, horses, farm animals and more. The page also has information specific to tornadoes as well as everyday emergencies such as when the electricity goes out, or there is a heat wave.

No matter what the specifics of your plan are, please follow this basic rule: If you are told to evacuate, leave immediately and take your animals. If it's not safe for you, it's not safe for them.

In the Spring of 2012, the Cheyenne Animal Shelter put out a call via the Wyoming Tribune Eagle to encourage everyone to protect their pups from the canine parvovirus, which had infected five puppies in their facility. According to the ASPCA:

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life-threatening illness. The virus attacks rapidly, dividing cells in a dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. Parvovirus also attacks the white blood cells, and when young animals are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

Want to know how Parvo is transmitted? When any person, animal or object comes in contact with an infected dog's FECES. (Remember that lengthy blog Fur Kids Foundation posted the other day about picking up dog poo? Well, here’s another reason that dog poo is gross.)

Parvo can be carried on the dog’s hair and feet, as well as on contaminated crates, shoes, and other objects. When the dog licks the fecal material off hair, feet, or anything that came in contact with infected feces, he or she acquires the disease.

… the illness causes lethargy; loss of appetite; fever; vomiting; and severe, and frequent bloody diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and most deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the onset of clinical signs. If your puppy or dog shows any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

All dogs are at risk for contracting parvo, but puppies less than four months old and dogs that have not been vaccinated are at increased risk. Until a puppy has received its complete series of vaccinations, pet owners should be cautious when bringing their pet to places other dogs visit such as pet shops, parks, obedience classes, kennels, and grooming establishments among others.

I’m sure you want to prevent this worst case scenario from happening, and you can—with proper vaccinations available from your vet. Vaccinations prevent parvo. End of story.

Since the Foundation starting holding Yappy Hours, we’ve been hearing how other people introduce their dogs to other dogs, people or surroundings. So, we decided it would be beneficial to start sharing these stories with others.

The other day, a volunteer shared an article on leash etiquette on her Facebook, and we took notice. When you go on a walk, you make sure you have everything you need for your pooch—collar, leash, some treats to brush up on training, and a water bottle and always a bag for pet waste. But, what about leash etiquette—do you know the dos and don’ts for approaching other dogs you encounter on your daily walks?

If so, kudos to you; however, if you’re interested in a refresher, check out this blog posted on Dogster, Dog-Walking Etiquette: 7 Tips for a Better Walk by Cathy Weselby. These seven tips are quite basic, but are also great reminders for those of you who are new to the community, have a new pup, or are just looking to make sure you are respectful while out and about with your furry friend.

Do you follow any different petiquette when walking your dog? If so, let us know.

Want help socializing your pup?Check out the Foundation's Yappy Hours, held the first and third Saturday of the month at 7 am and the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6 pm from April-September 2013.

It’s finally Spring in Northeastern Wyoming! The sun is shining and you may be venturing out with your pets. After being cooped up all winter you’ve got a bit of cabin fever, and there’s nothing better than squashing the winter blues than a nice long hike in the woods or even a stroll through one of Gillette’s many parks.

But this (sometimes) warm, spring weather brings more than flowers and a healthy dose of Vitamin D—it also brings ticks. These blood thirsty parasites are hard to find, and can cause some serious health problems for our four legged friends. Ticks on pets can also transmit Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and a host of other diseases to humans. Can you say eeeewwwww.

For the most part, ticks can be found predominantly in wooded or brushy areas and in tall vegetation, and they thrive in long grass and shady outdoor spots. Sage bush doesn’t just smell lovely, it’s also a prime place for ticks to chill and wait for their next blood meal. However, ticks can also be found living in your lawn. To prevent this, be sure to mow regularly, remove tall weeds and keep garbage covered and inaccessible. If you're interested in what ticks are specifically found in this region, or another, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page on the Geographic Distribution of ticks.

So, now you know where ticks live, I bet you want to know how to avoid them. Talk to your vet about choosing the right, species-specific flea and tick treatment for your pet such as a topical, liquid insecticide applied to the back of the neck, or a tick collar. Some products are available over-the-counter while others require a prescription. However, never use products for dogs on cats, or for cats on dogs. If you accidentally apply the wrong topical treatment to your pet, please call your vet ASAP.

With or without tick protection, it’s a good idea to check your pet for ticks when you’ve been in areas where ticks are found. To search for ticks, run your hands all over the body, paying close attention to the ears, neck, chest, skin folds and other crevices. Closely examine any raised areas closely by parting the hair, making sure you are in a very well-lit area (you can even use a flashlight). If you feel a bump or swollen area, check to see if a tick has burrowed there. Depending on species and life stage, a tick may be as small as a pencil point or as large as a Lima bean (when engorged).

If you do find a tick while you’re checking your pet, it’s best to remove it right away. To remove an attached tick, check out this two-minute video from Drs. Foster and Smith.

You can also find a step-by-step tick removal instructions on your pet at the ASPCA, or Dog Heirs.

Tick bites on dogs may be hard to detect. Signs of tickborne disease may not appear for seven to 21 days or longer after a tick bite, so watch your dog closely for changes in behavior or appetite if you have pulled a tick from your pet, or suspect that your pet has been bitten by a tick.

There are also ways you can avoid picking up ticks while with your canine companion. Wear protective clothing in a light color, and you can also wear a chemical repellent if you choose. It’s also a good idea to stay near the center of walking trails or tuck pant legs into socks. And always perform a skin check on yourself after being in areas where ticks are normally found. And, if you do find a tick on yourself, be sure to watch for symptoms of tickborne illness.

Created in November 2011, the Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of animals in Campbell County.

Your donation saves lives. It goes to work helping animals in Campbell County receive adequate veterinary care during a time when their family may not be able to afford it. Please contact the Foundation to learn more or donate now using PayPal.

Author

The Fur Kids Foundation blog is written by board member and Founder Felicia. If you have ideas that you would like to see published in the blog such as concerns about pet-focused topics in the community or a funny story, please contact the Foundation. Enjoy!